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"I may also speak with Alena when I do go," Earendil added, "see if they have any extra material for clothes. I'm not sure how much Arwen packed with us, but I'm sure it's not going to be enough for a full wardrobe for both Haldia and Kelirahc ... especially of the right material. And let's face it."

He shivered slightly in the cold air.

"My clothes aren't exactly meant for a climate like this, either."

Earendil nodded. "I've never experienced a winter as you have," he shrugged. "In the Southland, it was slightly less hot. On the ship, we really can't tell the difference. It's cold all the time on the water. On Nauros, it was tropical year round, it just didn't rain in the winter. To be honest, this is the coldest I've ever felt."

Earendil smiled. "Sure. If Whisper is in your quarters, would you mind asking her to go to Haldia? Senka seemed a bit miffed at being passed off again, and I think Whisper would be better in there anyways. If Haldiai falls asleep, it will be just Senka and Celeb in there, and you know how that usually goes ..."

They tolerated each other, but Celeb just didn't have the same place in Senka's heart as Earendil did.

Rhea was in the room when Lin entered, working at the desk, while Whisper was napping on her bunk. She looked up as Lin came in, and set her pen down on the desk.

"Is Earendil awake yet?" she asked, her voice anxious.

Whisper's ears perked up at the sound of her mistress's voice, but she kept her head down and her eyes closed.

"Especially if Haldia falls asleep," Rhea murmured anxiously. "Of course. Then there would be nothing to keep Senka from being snarky to Celeb. Whisper, will you go?"

She looked over at her cat, knowing full well that she was wide awake and eavesdropping.

Whisper raised her head and looked over at Rhea. "Of course I will go," she said softly. "Even if we got off on the wrong paw with Haldia, she is a lovely girl now that we know her better."

She got to her paws and stretched a bit. The room wasn't really big enough for her to stretch fully when there were other people in there, and she usually did her stretching outside, but there wasn't time at the moment.

"And you, Rhea, where will I find you later?" she asked as she padded towards the door.

"Depends on where I am," Rhea smiled. "I might be here working, I might be in the galley having dinner, I might be out on deck. I'll let you know if I'm going far."

Whisper nodded. "Then I'll go to Haldia now."

Rhea grinned. "I wouldn't miss it for the world - of course, on the condition that we don't actually leave until everyone has proper clothes. Haldia especially, she doesn't have anyone special to look after her while she's here with us."

She giggled slightly. "Maybe."

"Thanks," Rhea smiled. "See you later, then."

And she turned back to her work at her desk.

Whisper was waiting patiently for Lin at the door. "In a strange sort of way," she murmured, "I hope Haldia is still awake. It might be a bit startling for her if she fell asleep with Senka and woke up with me. Still, I hope I can be of help to her."

Whisper padded along silently behind Lin, letting her lead. After all, she couldn't open doors on her own.

In Haldia's quarters, things were a bit ... odd. Celeb was sitting with his arms folded across his chest, glaring at Senka, clearly jealous of the attention she was getting from Haldia. Haldia's eyes were closed, and she looked at least somewhat peaceful, ignorant of the glare that Celeb was giving Senka, but her fingers were still moving against Senka's belly, showing that she was still at least somewhat awake.